The Universal Serial Bus (USB) was designed to be flexible. The uniquely rectangular shape is well-known; we've all experienced the resistance a USB cable exhibits when inserted upside down into a machine. Many of us have used USB cables for years without thinking about their data transfer rates.




With the rise of Apple gadgets came a slew of new cable forms, use cases, and data transfer rates. The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) introduced the USB-C connector to once again universalize device connectors. The advent of USB-C coincided with the availability of Thunderbolt charges by Intel and Apple, adding to the cable confusion.


What is USB-C?
USB-C, often known as USB Type-C, is the current standard connector method for transmitting data and power to and from a device via a single cable. USB-C connectors are symmetrical, universal, and bi-directional, connecting a data or power source (such as a computer or wall plug) to a device (such as a hard drive). USB-C ports can also be used to connect two devices.

USB is an acronym for Universal Serial Bus, and there are three varieties of USB: USB-A, USB-B, and USB-C. USB-A is typically used for smaller peripherals such as keyboards, whereas USB-B is utilized for bigger equipment such as monitors. USB-C is compatible with a wide range of devices and is the only form of USB cable that can transmit power and data in both directions.
A USB-C connector is distinguished from the earlier micro-USB connector by the following characteristics:

  • The oval connector is cross-brand and device compatible, including iPhones, Androids, MacBooks, and Nintendo Switch.

  • Because the connector is symmetrical, it can be inserted into a port either way, unlike older USB kinds, which must be inserted correctly.

  • Depending on the type, it can transport data at high speeds of up to 20Gbps.

It has a lot of power, up to 100W, and can charge smaller devices. To handle larger applications such as gaming PCs, new USB-Cs can deliver up to 240W.

Some USB-C cables can even transfer audio and video information over DisplayPort. To connect a device to an external monitor or TV, the port must support DisplayPort over USB-C.


The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), whose members include Apple, Microsoft, Dell, HP, Intel, and Samsung, created USB-C. The USB-IF also governs the USB Power Delivery Specification, which is a fast-charging standard that USB-C adopts.

What is a Thunderbolt port?
Thunderbolt ports and technologies are a type of communication standard that can transfer massive amounts of data, output video, and charge and connect devices all over the same cable. Thunderbolt, developed jointly by Intel and Apple, is now USB-C compatible.

Thunderbolt and USB-C ports are identical when compared side by side, and Thunderbolt connections are similarly bi-directional, therefore their functionality is comparable. Thunderbolt connectors, on the other hand, can carry data at 40Gbps, which is far quicker than USB-C. That is, you can transport data to and from your computer (for example, video data for two or more 60Hz, 4K resolution external monitors). However, you may need to speed up your internet connection to match it.

Is Thunderbolt and USB-C the same?

Thunderbolt and USB-C cables and ports are not the same, but they look and act nearly identically. The cables and ports on most gadgets are interchangeable, so you may attach either cable to either port. Thunderbolt ports, on the other hand, transport data more quicker than USB-C connectors. If you connect a USB-C cable to a Thunderbolt port or a Thunderbolt cable to a USB-C port, the speed will be limited to the less powerful USB-C standard.

Because Thunderbolt and USB-C use the same 24-pin connector, the only method to distinguish between the two is to look for the characteristic lightning symbol near the port or cable connector.

Is USB-C or Thunderbolt better?

 

Transfer speed

Mac lightning port

480Mbps

USB 3.1 Gen 1

5Gbps

USB 3.1 Gen 2

10Gbps

USB 3.2 Gen 2 x 2

20Gbps

Thunderbolt 3 & 4

40Gbps





Thunderbolt is a more advanced technology than USB-C. However, the ideal solution for you is determined by your preferences and the purpose of your connectors. Thunderbolt isn't necessary if you're only using simple peripherals like printers, given the cost. The key advantage of Thunderbolt is its rapid data transfer speeds.

For most users, USB-C and Thunderbolt are compatible, which means you can utilize either port without affecting your user experience. They're both compatible with most devices, but combining a cable and port from each technology will only give you the speed of the slower USB-C. Budget PCs typically include only USB-C connectors.

Thunderbolt connectors are ideal if you:

  • Edit images or videos, because Thunderbolt makes it much faster to transfer data to external hard drives.

  • Need to daisy-chain multiple 4K monitors.

  • Want to use Thunderbolt docking stations to connect numerous peripherals to your computer.

  • Are a competitive gamer.


Conclusion

Overall, there is not a clear winner between Thunderbolt and USB-C. They're simply different, and each succeeds in distinct applications. If the history of hardware interfaces is any guide, they'll both be replaced in a few years by a new standard—perhaps the growing USB4—and there'll be a whole new set of differences to understand and details to unravel.